Jetski And Mitsubishi Evo Seized During Drugs Raid
Eight people have been arrested after a series of police raids across Ashington.
Eight people have been arrested after a series of police raids across Ashington.
It was all part of Operation Community Pride, with police targeting a range of offences from drug supply to rogue landlords, illegal money lending and domestic violence.
Class A drugs with a street value of more than £1,000 were recovered yesterday, as well as £3,500 in cash, nine vehicles including a Mitsubishi Evo totalling a value of £90,000, a jetski and electrical items worth more than £12,000.
Four men and four women were all arrested in connection with the supply of Class A drugs.
Police say they targeted a small core of persistent offenders after listneing to the concerns of the community.
Northern Area Command Chief Inspector Jamie Pitt said: “Ashington has a strong community identity and it appears that there is a small core of persistent offenders that we need to target, disrupt and visibly show the community we are listening to them and taking action. "We have listened to the communities concerns around the supply of drugs and crime in the area and have taken action. "This operation goes to the heart of community policing - people have been telling us that they are concerned about drugs, burglary, theft and anti social behaviour (ASB) in their area and the arrests made are a culmination of months of focused work to address these concerns. "Information from the public is a valuable tool for police and we would urge people to be alert and report suspicious activity to their neighbourhood policing team on 03456 043 043 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." Ashington Neighbourhood Inspector Dave Harris said: "The supply of illegal drugs is linked to an increase in crime in the community over the past twelve months and this element of the operation was aimed at causing the maximum amount of disruption to their unlawful activities. "I am aware that some people within our community suffer from substance addiction and I urge people who are in that position to contact the Northumberland Recovery Partnership on 01670 396303 who can offer a wide array of support from medicated recovery to abstinence based recovery and mentoring.
"I hope the activity being carried out as part of Operation Community Pride over the coming weeks will act as a spur to recovery."